On a hazy and relatively warm last day of 2013, I visited the peaceful
hills around Hyeonjeolsa Temple on Namhansan, in Seoul’s southeast. It was a treat to see a variety of birds I
don’t get to see on Jeju, such as confiding single-digits numbers of Marsh Tit,
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, as well
as perhaps a dozen Naumann’s Thrush several Dusky Thrush (and an apparent Dusky
x Naumann’s hybrid), and a Goldcrest. Several Great Tit, Varied Tit, Brambling, Large-billed Crow, and an
Eastern Buzzard were also seen, but unfortunately I was unable to lay eyes on a Hazel
Grouse, in spite of hearing one.

January 1, stream near
Eungbong Station, (with Tim Edelsten)

There was a nice assortment of ducks on a small stretch of river feeding
into the Han, with most regular winter ducks represented. Notable were about 150 Mandarin Ducks,
remarkable for this site. The star
attraction was a cracking male Ferruginous Duck, looking spectacular as it swam
lazily in the sun.

About Me

Howdy! I'm a birder from Montreal who has been working and birding in South Korea since 2005. I've lived on Jeju and Geoje Islands, and have birded at a diverse range of sites in South Korea. After drifting around Europe for a bit, I'm back in Suncheon, Korea for one last hurrah. Ergo sum ego avem. (contact me at mattpoll24 at gmail dot com)